Policy issue:
What influence has land use policies had on total grassland area?

Figures

Fancybox relations

Key assessment

The overall decline seen in these nine countries is expected to continue across today's EU15.

Naturally, the eastern enlargement of the EU will increase the total grassland area from the 44,000,000 hectares in 1995, as the new Member States contain large and highly valuable permanent grasslands. These areas are also vulnerable, with agricultural intensification expected to put them under pressure in the coming years.